SAMW gives 2019 wish list for Scottish meat industry

As 2018 draws to a close, the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) is eyeing “certainty, collaboration and respect” for Scotland’s red meat sector as part of its New Year’s resolutions.

SAMW forecasted 2019 to be an “extremely challenging year​” and is seeking clarity on contentious issues such as Brexit for the Scottish meat industry.

The organisation has also expressed its desire to be given the platform and freedom to build on the sector’s success by extending its reach into new markets in Scotland and abroad.

Additionally, SAMW is targeting collaborations with different parts of the Scottish red meat supply chains to increase livestock numbers and clear the way for further quality beef.

“It’s now two-and-a-half years on from the-Brexit referendum yet our industry is still in urgent need of clarity as we head into the New Year​,” said SAMW’s president Frank Clark.

“As an industry, we appreciate and applaud the good work done by Quality Meat Scotland and others who apply sound scientific facts and figures to counter these unfair attacks on our industry. I repeat, we have an industry of which we can all be proud and one which has a strong future​.”

Scotland’s red meat sector has a trading value worth £2bn and employs around 3,000 people, according to SAMW.

Earlier this year, SAMW held a Brexit conference​ in Glasgow, Scotland to consider the implications for the red meat processing sector and discussed issues including the supply of livestock, the availability of labour, as well as trade and market opportunities for 2019.